Once the Ghost Emperor had departed with his precious son, Wenshu took his leave of Changqu and returned to the Bureau of Judgment.
Listening to the *tap-tap* of footsteps outside, Hongsang mused to herself that she certainly had many visitors these past few days.
"Oh! Wenshu? Aren't you under orders to oversee the construction of the Reincarnation Platform? How do you have the leisure to visit me today?" Hongsang greeted him with a beaming smile as she walked out.
"I have no time for play. The Reincarnation Platform is nearing completion, is it not? Ghost Emperor Feikang has ordered me to fetch the registers of all souls currently undergoing punishment in the Underworld for a matter of great importance!" Wenshu pulled a document from his robes and handed it to Hongsang.
Hongsang examined it closely, then shook her head with a sigh. "This isn't something that can be finished in a few moments. Sit for a while; I’ll go find the scrolls. Zhizhi, serve the tea."
With that, she swayed her hips and headed upstairs.
Wenshu sat downstairs. The archives of the Place of Departure were vast, and thus occupied a large area. Hongsang was a ghost who loved her comforts; she had specifically ordered a large pool to be excavated in the center of the first-floor hall, filled with channeled hot spring water. Several peach and plum trees were planted by the poolside, remaining in eternal spring regardless of the season.
Wenshu closed his eyes, inhaling the floral fragrance drifting through the room.
Zhizhi transformed into the likeness of a small page boy and walked out carrying tea, speaking with obedient sweetness. "Lord Wenshu, please have some tea."
Wenshu opened his eyes and took the cup. "What tea is this? It looks like flower buds."
"This is 'Spring Under the Rain,' newly cultivated this year by Lady Nuyi. She specifically added Madder Silk Grass and packed them into small sachets, rubbing them into the shape of flower buds. It’s incredibly fragrant! My mistress only ordered it to be brought out yesterday when Lord Shen Zhi visited."
"Then aren't you afraid Hongsang will be angry that you've brought it out for me just like that?" Wenshu laughed, patting Zhizhi on the head. Just as he was leaving earlier, he thought he saw Shen Zhi leading a female ghost toward the Reincarnation Platform, seemingly looking for someone. He wondered if Hongsang knew.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I certainly am angry! That brat Zhizhi is always using my things to curry favor with others!" Hongsang said, her arms crossed as she slowly descended the stairs, her red skirt trailing over the steps like a crimson carpet.
At the mention of Shen Zhi, Hongsang felt a surge of irritation. Today, some minor female ghost had appeared out of nowhere and actually trashed her Crescent Moon Pavilion. If it were just that, it would be fine, but Shen Zhi had actually rushed over to bail her out—it was simply detestable!
Hongsang leaned against the banister. "I’ve already had a room cleared for you, and the registers are being moved there. Let Zhizhi lead you up. If you have any questions, just ask him." Having said her piece, Hongsang swayed back upstairs.
It took a long moment for Zhizhi to lower the hand covering his mouth. "Oh dear, Mistress is angry!"
"What are you afraid of? I’ll protect you! Lead the way; this matter is urgent."
"Hmph, Mistress is very cross today! Earlier at the Crescent Moon Pavilion, a female ghost suddenly tried to hit me. Mistress came out and locked them up, but who knew that a moment later, Lord Shen would come to demand their release... Tsk, tsk. I wonder what that female ghost's background is!"
"Hit you? Did she land a blow?"
"Of course not. I am an artifact spirit, after all. How could I be hit by a common mortal ghost so easily?"
"An artifact spirit who can only transform into a little girl."
Zhizhi whipped his head around. "Is it not cute? I think the chubby look of a child is the most beautiful. Mistress says so too."
"...It’s not that it isn't cute. It’s just that, you are technically an adult, yet you always maintain the appearance of a child..."
"I am an artifact spirit. There is no such thing as 'adult' for me!"
"..."
The two of them went up to the third floor and entered the first room on the left. Bamboo slips continuously flew into the room from outside, each wrapped in a sheet of white paper.
Wenshu took down a scroll, and the white paper immediately flew away.
Wenshu held the bamboo slip, lightly tapping it against the table as he watched the scrolls in the room pile up to the height of a small mountain.
***
After Guantao and Ajiao had met, Shen Zhi escorted the weeping Guantao back.
"Stop crying. She is just... well... doing a bit of work there. You don't need to worry."
"But I’m just afraid she’ll be exhausted." Guantao’s tears, which had just been held back, began to flow again.
"...Don't keep crying. She did do something wrong, after all, and must be punished." Shen Zhi pulled a handkerchief from his robes and handed it to Guantao.
"You only say it so easily because you’ve never been a parent!" Guantao took the handkerchief huffily, intending to throw it on the ground. "This is my handkerchief! Why do you have it?"
Shen Zhi paused, a faint flush appearing on his face. "Uh... this, this... you dropped this near me before. I was just preparing to return it to you. Yes, that’s how it was."
Guantao was in too much distress to notice Shen Zhi’s expression.
Shen Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. "By the way, I have something else to tell you. The place where Chen Ajiao is staying is the future Bureau of Reincarnation. What is being built there is the Reincarnation Platform. The first platform will be completed in about three days. Now, Ghost Emperor Feikang has ordered the Records Official, Wenshu, to select two thousand souls from those under punishment to experience reincarnation first. Furthermore, the years spent in reincarnation can offset the years of their punishment. I think, if you cannot bear to see her working like that, I can go find Wenshu and have him record Chen Ajiao’s name on the list."
"Really? Then Ajiao won't have to suffer anymore?"
"It is true, of course. However, the Reincarnation Platform is newly built, so there might be accidents during the process of reincarnation. But generally speaking, it is safe. Go back today and discuss it with your brothers; just give me your answer tomorrow."
Guantao nodded slightly. "Alright. I will go back and discuss it with them, and tell you tomorrow."
