Yi Xiaoqian and Wang Xiaowan were certain that something very significant must have happened during Si Lingxi's birthday banquet this time!

Extremely significant!

Otherwise, Lu Zheng couldn't have unexpectedly gained two more wives!

Lin Wan was understandable, being a hometown acquaintance, and meeting in a foreign land could lead to impulsive behavior. Although it didn't quite match Lu Zheng's previous conduct style, it wasn't impossible.

But what kind of status did Si Lingxi have?

Even if they held Lu Zheng in high regard, they couldn't imagine Si Lingxi lowering herself to marry, let alone sitting at a mahjong table with other women.

…

Yi Xiaoqian and Wang Xiaowan were not familiar with Si Lingxi, let alone Lin Wan, so they didn't intrude. They planned to take the opportunity to get closer during the Peach Blossom Plain event later. They merely exchanged a few warm words with Lin Wan before leaving.

Lin Wan, holding Lu Zheng's arm, smiled and said, "Sure enough, a true lady just like I imagined."

Lu Zheng nodded his head, preparing to speak, but suddenly turned to the side.

"What's wrong?" Lin Wan asked.

"Didn't you want to see the Fierce Ghosts of this world? Looks like we don't need to go to the Netherworld," Lu Zheng replied.

Lin Wan's eyes brightened, quickly following Lu Zheng's gaze, but the bustling street showed no signs of anything unusual.

"Where? Who?" Lin Wan asked.

Lu Zheng gestured with his chin. "The woman carrying a basket, walking slowly."

When Lin Wan looked again, she saw a woman in coarse linen clothes, with a cloth scarf covering her head. Her left hand carried a bamboo basket, while a bundle was tied to her back, slowly making her way along the street towards the north of the city.

But with the woman having her back to them, Lin Wan couldn't see her face.

"Painted Skin?" Lin Wan's eyes gleamed.

"Painted Skin." Lu Zheng nodded, recalling the first enemy he encountered in this world, a Corpse Ghost skilled in Skin Painting Technique.

Lin Wan clenched her fists, trembling with excitement. "She actually entered the city? Didn't you say there's a City God here?"

"Hmm..." Lu Zheng pondered briefly. "The main duty of the City God Temple is to fend off Netherworld invasions into the mortal world. Although it does handle some ghostly matters in the mortal world, it's ultimately a court institution, so you can't expect too much..."

Lin Wan was speechless, but the City God's delay offered her a chance to broaden her experiences.

"Who's stronger, me or that Corpse Ghost?" Lin Wan couldn't help but ask.

"About the same," Lu Zheng rubbed his chin. "Unfortunately, this Corpse Ghost is stronger than the one I first encountered."

"Good enough. This time, let me handle it!" Lin Wan said eagerly.

Despite not being able to defeat Lu Zheng in modern times, others couldn't make her go all out either. Coming to Tonglin County rekindled her excitement.

"Alright!" Lu Zheng didn't mind letting Lin Wan have some fun, as he'd be watching over her anyway.

At that moment, the woman turned into an alley, bumping into a hurriedly exiting scholar.

Then...the familiar scene unfolded: the woman appeared weak and helpless, the scholar was smitten, the man was interested, and the ghost was willing. The woman seemed to have found a savior in the scholar, following him north.

Lin Wan blinked, asking, "I remember you mentioned stories of scholars killed by Fierce Ghosts in this world?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "But there are more romantic encounter books."

Lin Wan asked, "Will this Corpse Ghost take action tonight?"

"Who cares when she acts!" Lu Zheng shook his head. "We can't follow her all the time. We'll expose her identity tonight."

"Okay!" Lin Wan nodded repeatedly.

Thus, they followed from a distance, soon seeing the woman and the scholar arrive at a secluded courtyard. The scholar took out keys to unlock the door, and the woman followed him inside.

"A lone scholar, quite bold," Lin Wan said incredulously. "Modern people wouldn't dare bring someone home so casually. Even if he didn't suspect a Fierce Ghost, wouldn't he worry about an Immortal Jump?"

Lu Zheng shrugged, "Try enough times, and you'll encounter someone who cares more for beauty than safety."

After the scholar closed the door, Lin Wan couldn't see inside, but Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi clearly detected the woman allowing the scholar to embrace her as they exchanged affectionate gestures before the scholar offered to cook dinner for her.

"Alright, let's go. It's dinner time. Madam Liu invited us to the Liu Family for dinner. Afterward, we might catch a live action," Lu Zheng said.

Si Lingxi couldn't help but shake her head, and Lin Wan shivered involuntarily from the eerie scenario. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

…

Upon returning to the Liu Family, Shen Ying was already there. At dinner, Lin Wan mentioned the encounter.

Knowing it was Lin Wan's first action, Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan wanted to watch, so Liu Qingquan and Du Yueyao, who often hung out with Liu Qingyan, joined as well.

With so many supporting her, Lin Wan felt the goodwill from the women, nodded, and gallantly crossed her fists like a heroine, provoking Liu Qingquan's teasing, "Sister, your hands are reversed."

Lin Wan, "..."

…

That night, dark clouds obscured the moon, casting the land in darkness.

After dinner, Mr. Zhang sent the unfamiliar woman to the side room to rest. He lit a candle and read aloud in his bedroom-study, but although his voice was clear, he lacked strength and faltered, his mind wandering.

Swallowing hard, Mr. Zhang felt distracted.

Upon entering, the woman's behavior revealed she was no chaste maiden. But having set up a persona of diligence, would going to her now seem too eager?

Just then, a fragrant breeze wafted in, and Mr. Zhang looked up to see the maiden who called herself Qiong Niang carrying a bowl of fragrant tea at his doorway.

"Young Master, it's getting colder, but you're still reading late into the night," Qiong Niang, dressed lightly, shivered in the autumn chill. "Having been sheltered by you, I warmed some tea to thank you, please drink while it's hot."

"The wind is strong outside, hurry in!" Mr. Zhang stood up, ready to invite Qiong Niang.

But at that moment, a swishing sound caught their attention, and Qiong Niang turned, revealing a woman in battle dress entering the yard, holding a gleaming Yanling Saber.

"Corpse Ghost! Reveal your true form! Today, I, will uphold justice and send you on your way!"

Absolutely stunning!

Brimming with heroism!

Mr. Zhang found himself...falling in love again...