Of Weddings and Wakes | Chapter 71 | A Wedding of Red and White | Novela.app

The "dad" Wu Biyou spoke of was clearly not Mu Gesheng, which left only one explanation—Wu Zixu had left something for him. At City First High School. The school’s history could be traced back to the Republican era, but few knew that its original founding director was Wu Zixu. Later, the school was transferred to public management, but it still maintained a small history museum—a traditional-style building of grey brick and black timber, topped with dark tiles and white walls. Wu Biyou had pre-set a Shrinking Earth Array outside the mountain gate. The two traveled in haste, arriving at the school in an instant. There was a time difference between Penglai and the outside world; it had been noon when they descended the mountain, but it was now late at night. Wu Biyou gave a brief summary of the current state of the Seven Houses. "The Zhu family is currently working on the Mirage. They’ve managed to patch up a basic framework, and the collapses in the Realm of Water and Sky have been halted. It won’t affect the mortal world. "The Medicine House was initially held together by An Ping. Things improved significantly after that woman Chai Yanyan returned, though An Ping got a hell of a beating from his mother. Right after the two families finished a business meeting, Madam An grabbed him and gave him a thrashing, then tossed him straight to Chai Yanyan for emergency treatment. It was damn intense; we were all stunned. "Nothing much is happening at the City God Temple. Luoshazi returned from the Realm of Water and Sky a few days ago and is currently leading the Rakshasa family to deal with Chai Puti. That woman is likely at her wit's end. "As for Fengdu," he paused, "everything is fine. I’ve handled it." City First High School was locked down for the night. The two scaled the wall into the sports field. After hearing the report, Mu Gesheng asked, "You went to see Cui Ziyu?" "He was the one who found me," Wu Biyou replied. "When we were trapped in the Realm of Water and Sky, Luoshazi told me before we left to check on my dad in Fengdu once I returned." He then recounted his encounter with the green-robed Judge at the ancestral hall. Cui Ziyu had handed him a will from Wu Zixu. Wu Zixu had left something at City First High School, specifically for Mu Gesheng. At the time, Wu Biyou had been confused: *If it’s for that old undying, why tell me?* *The previous Wuchangzi foresaw today’s situation,* Cui Ziyu had answered. *He predicted that you would be at odds with the Heavenly Calculator, and the item he left behind might be the key to resolving the knot in your heart.* *What does that mean?* *The past is a long story,* Cui Ziyu had bowed. *You must see it for yourself.* Wu Biyou and Mu Gesheng entered the history museum and stopped before a display case. The glass had already been removed, revealing a wall covered in photographs. Mu Gesheng looked at one taken during the school's founding. A young man in a Zhongshan suit stood before the gate. "That’s Old Third." "That’s Old Second, and Old Fifth." He pointed to several others, some transitioning from black-and-white to color. "This one should be Sanjiu. They all taught here at some point." Wu Biyou asked, "You knew all this?" "I knew Old Third built this school. I also knew this museum is a genuine historical structure. Do you know what it was originally?" "What?" "This used to be the Wu Residence." "What?!" "After the war, Old Third renovated the ancestral home and built the school. Over the years of demolition and relocation, this is the only original building left." Mu Gesheng looked around. "I think this part used to be the canteen. They served stewed cabbage and vermicelli every day. "But I don't actually remember any of this. Sanjiu told me later." His tone shifted. "I didn't know Old Third left something here." Wu Biyou huffed and peeled away a photograph. The wall behind it was hollow, and within the palm-sized space, a faint green glow emanated. It was a Mountain Ghost Coin. Mu Gesheng didn't move. He stared at the coin for a moment before turning to Wu Biyou. "What’s inside?" Wu Biyou froze, then snapped angrily, "If you want to know, look for yourself!" "You’ve already seen it, haven't you? Give me a spoiler." "How did you know I saw it?!" "You’re my daughter. I watched you grow up from the days you wore open-crotch pants. I know exactly what kind of brat you are." Mu Gesheng crossed his arms. "Since you’ve seen it and are still willing to give it to me, it means there’s something very important inside." Wu Biyou fell silent for a moment. "I can't say. You have to see it yourself." He became uncharacteristically calm and abruptly changed the subject. "Before I left the Realm of Water and Sky, Luoshazi gave me the Red-Licking Blade. "That blade has a heavy malevolent aura. I tried many times, but I could only draw it an inch." "If you can't draw it, then don't," Mu Gesheng waved him off. "Why mess with something so dangerous?" "That’s not what I’m trying to say!" Wu Biyou interrupted him sharply. "After Luoshazi came out, I asked him if I could keep the blade for a while. Since then, I’ve been practicing every day. From one inch to two, from two to three... by the time I went to Penglai, I could draw it halfway. "I can do it," he said, enunciating every word. "Just give me time." Mu Gesheng remained silent for a long while after hearing this. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. I understand." He reached out to ruffle the boy's hair but stopped halfway. "Silly daughter, you’ve grown taller." Wu Biyou stubbornly refused to say what he had seen in the Mountain Ghost Coin, only that it contained a piece of the past Mu Gesheng had to see for himself. "Drip your blood on it. You’ll probably fall into a deep sleep for a while, but you should wake up before morning." Wu Biyou pointed to the hole in the wall, then squatted by the display case, pulled out his phone, and started playing a game. Mu Gesheng felt a headache coming on. He thought to himself that he had done nothing but sleep lately. These Mountain Ghost Coins were like projectors, playing one segment after another without a fast-forward button. He even began to suspect that the coins hadn't been lost, but hidden by this group of troublesome friends just to play a mystery game with him across the decades. How old were they? So childish, yet so full of whimsy. But with things as they were, there was no other choice. Mu Gesheng sighed, bit his finger, and took the Mountain Ghost Coin from the wall. The familiar darkness rushed in. Before losing consciousness, he gave Wu Biyou a kick. "Don't play on your phone so much. It’s bad for your eyes." Wu Biyou’s hand slipped, misfiring an ultimate skill. He was about to curse, but Mu Gesheng had already slumped against the wall, fast asleep and motionless. Due to his unique constitution, he didn't breathe while asleep. His face looked pale under the lights, with a faint, sickly tint. Wu Biyou stared at him, then clicked his tongue in annoyance. He yanked off his jacket and tossed it over the man. *** As soon as he entered the vision, Mu Gesheng understood. The memories in the two coins were continuous—he immediately saw Chai Shuxin, covered in blood, washing himself by a riverbank. He recognized the surrounding scenery; it wasn't far from Penglai. He could still see black smoke drifting from the horizon. The killing and arson must have just ended. He wondered where this man was going next. Mu Gesheng couldn't help but feel suspicious. The Mountain Ghost Coin in the Mirage had been left by Song Wentong, and this one at the school was from Wu Zixu, yet both told the story of Chai Shuxin. These three had clearly conspired. What were they doing? Filming a serial drama? He watched as Chai Shuxin dove into the water and emerged a moment later dragging several water ghosts. They were merely ordinary vengeful spirits, no match for Luoshazi. They stood shivering in a row by the river, disheveled and skeletal, looking like four ridiculous mops. What was he doing? Looking for someone to scrub his back? Mu Gesheng was completely baffled until the next scene left him dumbfounded. Chai Shuxin threw on his clothes, led the four water ghosts into the woods, and emerged a moment later carrying a coffin. Mu Gesheng could guess with his toes that he was the one inside that coffin! One of the greatest mysteries of his resurrection was his body. Using a corpse to lock a living soul—no amount of medicinal herbs could achieve that effect. For Chai Shuxin to summon his soul back from the Mountain Ghost Coin, he must have used some heaven-defying method. He followed this bizarre "funeral" procession. They traveled over land and water; Chai Shuxin seemed to be in a hurry, walking fast, yet sometimes stopping abruptly. After several days of traveling by starlight, the group finally reached their destination. Mu Gesheng hadn't expected Chai Shuxin to return to the Old City. Not much time had passed since the city fell. It was still a time of war. The streetlights were sparse, and the moonlight cast a grey shroud over everything. When a nation falls and homes are destroyed, the dead become a smear of ash under the moon, while the living become a flicker of fire upon a lamp. The water ghosts carried the coffin through the streets. Chai Shuxin stopped before a building. Looking at the blue tiles and red doors, Mu Gesheng realized this was the City God Temple of that era. Chai Shuxin pushed the door open, bringing in a gust of yin wind that blew out the temple's candles. His malevolent aura startled the City God. The statue on the altar manifested its true form, shouting in rage, "What demon or ghost dares cause trouble here?" A City God was a divine official of a city, governing matters of both the living and the dead. Even if incense offerings were scarce during wartime, ordinary monsters wouldn't dare trespass. The water ghosts were paralyzed with fear, frozen outside the gate, unable to even cross the threshold. Chai Shuxin had to turn back, carry the coffin in himself, and then wave the four water ghosts away, signaling them to get lost. The City God recognized him. "A son of the Medicine House? No... you, what is this malevolent aura on your person?" Chai Shuxin said nothing, slowly placing the coffin in the center of the courtyard. The City God looked at the coffin and frowned. "Have you come to seek justice for the dead? This person’s soul is already gone; I cannot hold court for them." "I know," Chai Shuxin nodded expressionlessly. "I didn't come to seek justice." *Of course he didn't,* Mu Gesheng thought. He came to rent a room. The kind where you don't pay rent. A City God wasn't a high-ranking official among ghost bureaucrats, but since ancient times, wherever there was a city, there was a City God. Even in Fengdu, they were considered the most senior deities, possessing significant power within their jurisdiction to protect the city and its people. As the saying goes, a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Any ghost messenger, regardless of rank, would usually greet the City God before conducting business in the city. For a dignified City God to have his temple forcibly occupied by a dead man was likely a historical first. Chai Shuxin was a man of few words to begin with, and after becoming Luoshazi, he preferred action over speech. He simply beat the City God black and blue and moved in. He seemed to have a task in mind. He handed the City God a list, saying succinctly, "Please help me prepare the items on this list." Mu Gesheng didn't know what was written on the paper, but the City God took one look and looked extremely troubled. "Lu... Luoshazi, you don't understand. The great battle has just passed, and enemy troops have moved in. There’s hardly anyone left in the city. These things are truly hard to find..." "I know," Chai Shuxin said calmly. "I’ll have to trouble you. These things must be ready by tomorrow. I’m in a hurry." His expression was reasonable, but his tone was non-negotiable—pure new-age hegemonism. But if the City God, who managed the entire city, said it was hard to do, it truly must be difficult. What exactly did Chai Shuxin want? "This... this..." The City God looked pained, hesitating for a long time before finally saying, "Fine. To tell you the truth, there is a celebration in the city tomorrow. A family is marrying off a daughter." Chai Shuxin’s expression shifted slightly. "Which family? Where?" "It’s a shameful affair. The groom isn't a good man," the City God sighed. "After the defeat, some people became traitors to find a way to survive. Acting like a dog bullying others with its master's power, he’s rushing to take a second wife right after his first one died. I pity the girl marrying into that." "As for the wedding location..." the City God stammered, "that scoundrel hasn't had time to build a mansion yet, so he renovated the estate of a former prominent family and moved in. "It’s... it’s the old Chai Residence of the Medicine House." *** A year had passed since the defeat. It was winter again. It was also the season when the Eight-Fold Cold Red plums bloomed. In the courtyard, the red plums were like fire, their subtle fragrance drifting through the air. Red silk was draped everywhere, and lanterns hung high. "Move faster!" a butler in new clothes shouted at the servants. "The auspicious hour is almost here! The new mistress enters at noon! No one is allowed to break anything today, or I’ll have your hides!" As everyone bustled about, the sharp-eyed butler spotted a young man in white. He immediately raised his voice. "Hey! Have you lost your mind? Today is the Master’s great day! You’ve got some nerve wearing white!" The man stood under the corridor, hanging a lantern, ignoring the shouting. The butler grew furious and marched over, ready to unleash a tirade, but he suddenly froze. The young man held a lantern. From a distance, the butler hadn't noticed, but now he saw it was a revolving horse lantern. Half red, half white. The character for "Double Joy" was written in ink. As it spun in the wind, the pieces aligned to form a perfect "囍." *** With tall horses and the thunderous sound of gongs and drums, the deafening wedding music echoed through the streets. Lady Wu sat in the bridal sedan, her fingers tightly interlaced. The Wu family had originally been a scholarly clan in the city, but they had fallen into ruin during the war. Her parents had died early, and her relatives had scattered. She had been forced to drop out of the girls' middle school, taking her young brother with her to scrape a living in the city. Aunt Zhao from Guanshan Yue had pitied her and, seeing her beauty, invited her to the music house to be a *qingguan*. She was taught the pipa with great care and learned quickly. Soon, she was performing on stage. Though her life was meager, she managed to keep them fed. Until the city fell and the enemy entered. Aunt Zhao had urged her to leave, but she stayed because her brother was in Little Commander Mu’s regiment. She had seen that handsome, spirited young officer. That day, he had returned from studying abroad and had smilingly sung a scene from *The Romance of the Western Chamber* with her. His manner was friendly without being lewd, reminding her of her own brother. After the defeat, she had dug through the ruins beneath the city walls for a long time but found no familiar bodies—not Mr. Wu, not Young Master Song, not the Medicine House heir, nor the Little Commander. Not even her brother. So, she decided to live. She pawned her pipa and made a living by washing and mending clothes. She watched as the enemy burned the Mu General’s Mansion and smashed the Wu Residence. The Crimson Splendor of Ye Water was demolished, and Guanshan Yue was requisitioned as a comfort station. The long year felt like three hundred and sixty winters, and in an instant, the world had turned upside down. Until a few months ago, while washing clothes for a wealthy family, she suddenly found a necktie. It was a birthday gift she had bought for her brother. It was very expensive; she only realized after buying it that it was a joke, as a tie required a Western suit. Fortunately, her brother didn't mind. He laughingly sewed a pocket inside his tunic, saying he would use it as a protective talisman. At the time, she had thought that once she saved enough money the following year, she would buy him a suit. Lady Wu knew she had to find out where that tie came from. She dug out her last remaining qipao, used her savings to buy rouge and powder, and applied the heaviest, most vibrant makeup she had ever worn with her now-unpracticed hands. Clutching a borrowed pipa, she slipped into the wealthy family’s ball. She had been a musician of Guanshan Yue; with every gesture, she could be enchanting and captivating, enough to stun the crowd and overturn the world, if she so chose. At the ball, she danced with the master of the house. From then on, she began to frequent the mansion. Half a month later, she successfully asked about the tie. "A gift from a servant," the master had said. She tracked down the servant—the butler of the mansion. He had a son in the army stationed at the West City Prison. She made further inquiries and finally learned that prisoners of war were often executed at the prison. Before they died, they liked to keep their cherished possessions close. Many were valuable, providing a nice bit of profit. The tie had come from such a source. During the war, Western goods were in high demand. The butler’s son recognized its value and offered it as a gift to curry favor. Lady Wu had been a laundress; she knew bloodstains were hard to wash out. For that tie to be as clean as new, it must have been preserved with great care. And her brother had always kept that tie close to his heart. Half a month later, Lady Wu accepted the master’s proposal. She wanted revenge, of course, but opportunities were few. A wedding was the best chance. The man wasn't entirely without feeling, and a formal marriage was a sign of sincerity, but the debt of national and family hatred was as vast as a river; she could not settle for just a single scoop of its water. The bridal sedan suddenly stopped. A gust of wind blew open the curtain. Lady Wu was startled to find that the people on the street had vanished. Only the mournful sound of the suona echoed. The wedding procession had disappeared, and the porters were gone, yet the sedan remained suspended in mid-air. Suppressing her anxiety, Lady Wu lifted the curtain and looked out. The sedan was stopped at the end of a long street, right in front of a City God Temple. Just as she was at a loss, a cold hand suddenly reached in. A light, airy female voice sounded, accompanied by a few soft chuckles: "We share a fate today. May I borrow your trousseau, Miss? "In return, I shall fulfill a wish for you." *** The City God stood in the temple, cold sweat pouring down his face, as several green spirits led a bride through the gates. They drifted toward the side wing, and a moment later, one emerged carrying the red wedding dress and the trousseau. "She has been changed into spare clothing and will be sent out of the city immediately." The green spirit had the form of a woman and bowed slightly to the City God. "Oblivion Incense has been lit in the room. She won't remember a thing when she wakes up." The City God nodded frantically. A carriage and horses were ready behind the temple. The green spirit placed Lady Wu into the carriage and immediately galloped out of the city. These green spirits had been summoned by Luoshazi before he left that morning. There were green lotuses in the River of Forgetfulness; after a thousand years, they would produce a wisp of a soul, considered a minor ghost immortal. He watched as the spirits bustled in and out of the side room. A moment later, they supported a bride wearing a veil. This bride, of course, was not the Lady Wu who had just been sent away, but the one Luoshazi had brought yesterday, who had been lying in a coffin just hours ago. Yesterday, Luoshazi had given him a list filled with wedding items. He had originally thought Luoshazi had taken a fancy to some girl in the city and wanted him, the City God, to act as a matchmaker. Chai Shuxin had walked around the City God Temple, frowning slightly as if he found it too filthy—which couldn't be helped; in times of war, both gods and ghosts had to make do. The City God was about to say there were two clean rooms in the back, but he saw the man produce a broom from somewhere, roll up his sleeves, and begin to clean. If one ignored the malevolent aura surrounding him, Luoshazi’s expression could even be called peaceful. He meticulously cleaned the entire temple, then washed his hands and changed into a set of clean clothes. By then, the sky had darkened. The City God saw Chai Shuxin walk into the courtyard and lift the coffin lid. His movements were extremely slow. Once the lid was open, Chai Shuxin stood there in silence for a long time. The City God’s legs grew sore from watching. Just as he was about to say something, Chai Shuxin lay down in the coffin and closed the lid. *Good heavens.* The City God was stunned. Then he understood. Luoshazi hadn't taken a fancy to any girl in the city. If he were matchmaking for the living, why would he need a City God? Chai Shuxin had left early the next morning, having arranged everything. The corpse could not move, so he had breathed a breath of life into it, enough to sustain the ceremony. The green spirits didn't find this bizarre wedding strange; instead, they seemed quite cheerful. They were ghost immortals, and their ghostly aura was light enough for them to move freely in and out of the City God Temple. The bride was helped into the bridal sedan. The City God scattered a large handful of paper money, then lit the firecrackers. The sound of the suona shook the heavens. A City God sending the bride, green spirits carrying the sedan, a hundred ghosts following. A knot tied from a past life, a marriage vowed for the next. *** Plum blossoms fell in drifts. The originally bustling Chai Residence suddenly fell into a deathly silence. "I did not expect your arrival, My Lord. Please excuse the lack of a proper welcome." Chai Shuxin wiped his hands. "I have caused you some trouble. I hope you can forgive me." A green figure stood in the plum garden, surrounded by corpses. Cui Ziyu let out a long sigh. "Luoshazi, according to the Ledger of Life and Death, these people were not meant to die today." "Then change the Ledger," Chai Shuxin said flatly. "Traitors to their country deserve no pity." "Originally, reaping souls is the job of the Impermanence. I sensed something was wrong and rushed here first." Cui Ziyu bound the yin souls together, shaking his head. "Remember to pull out the tongues of these corpses, or they will talk nonsense when they reach King Yama." "I know," Chai Shuxin said. "I’ve locked some innocent people in the back courtyard. Before you leave, My Lord, please light a stick of Oblivion Incense." "Very well." Cui Ziyu bowed slightly. "This official takes his leave." "You may stay to witness the ceremony." "I fear no one in Fengdu would dare drink Luoshazi’s wedding wine." Cui Ziyu smiled bitterly. "One often sees 'red and white' affairs, but this marriage of yours is an act against heaven. This official does not have the cultivation to speak on it." "I was being presumptuous," Chai Shuxin nodded. "Safe travels, My Lord." The sound of the suona drifted in from outside. Chai Shuxin paused, then removed his white outer robe, revealing a vibrant red wedding garment beneath. He snapped off a branch of plum blossoms. A wind rose from the ground, scattering red petals across the courtyard, burying the corpses and masking the thick scent of blood with floral fragrance. Cui Ziyu noticed that Luoshazi’s expression was almost tender. "He is here." *The white affair is mournful, the red affair is joy. I travel from the mortal world to the Yellow Springs. Incense, candles, paper horses, and a bridal sedan are prepared. Lady Meng serves the nuptial cup.* *White paper and red robes, ten miles of suona. In life we lean on one another, in death we remain together.* Amidst the sounds of celebration, a long, melodic cry rang out: "First bow to Heaven and Earth—" *** | Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 缩地阵 | Shrinking Earth Array | A teleportation or distance-shortening formation. | | 判官 | Judge | A high-ranking official in the underworld (Fengdu). | | 崔子玉 | Cui Ziyu | The name of the Judge (Cui Jue). | | 山鬼花钱 | Mountain Ghost Coin | A type of Chinese numismatic charm used for protection or ritual. | | 舐红刀 | Red-Licking Blade | The name of the malevolent blade used by the Wu family. | | 城隍 | City God | A deity who protects a specific city and judges the dead within it. | | 忘引香 | Oblivion Incense | A fictional incense used to make people forget recent events. | | 清倌 | Qingguan | A courtesan who provides entertainment (music, poetry) but not sexual services. | | 走马灯 | Revolving Horse Lantern | A traditional lantern that spins when lit, showing moving silhouettes. | | 囍 | Double Joy | A traditional Chinese character used for weddings. | | 冥婚 | Ghost Wedding | A marriage ceremony where one or both parties are deceased. | | 合卺 | Nuptial Cup | The ritual of drinking from joined cups/gourds during a wedding. | | 孟婆 | Lady Meng | The deity in the underworld who serves the soup of forgetfulness. |