Chapter 743: The Maidservant Zhishu

Another stretch of time had passed.

By the time he returned to Qingshan City, it had changed once again. The city gates had been rebuilt, and the road at the foot of Changguan Mountain was entirely repaved.

The arrival of the King of Wei had brought fresh vitality to this isolated city, but it also meant that long-forgotten rules were being strictly enforced again.

Wherever the King of Wei resided, that land became the territory of Wei.

In the span of just a few years, Qingshan City had grown much more prosperous. Trade routes crisscrossed the region, and outsiders had settled here to run small businesses, making a decent living.

Even before stepping through the gates, the scent of noodles drifted through the air. It was Qingshan City's famous Hundred-Fragrance Noodles—just the smell was enough to make a person's mouth water.

There was also the wine, as well as the mountains and rivers, all of which brought an indescribable sense of peace.

Chen Changsheng, however, was in no rush to enter the city.

Instead, he took a detour to the Peach Orchard.

He wondered how Aqing had been doing lately.

After arriving at the Peach Orchard, however, he found that the worker from Zhongzhi City had been right.

Aqing was no longer managing the Peach Orchard.

The person overseeing it now was someone else entirely.

After asking around, he learned that the new caretaker worked for the Tang Family Trading Firm.

"Brother, I really have no idea where the previous owner went," the caretaker said. "But you could try asking our shopkeeper. She left the place in their care, after all."

"Alright," Chen Changsheng said.

He didn't press the man any further. He simply bought two peaches to eat and headed into the city.

The guards at the city gate issued him a one-day permit.

Since Chen Changsheng was not a registered resident of Qingshan City, he could only stay for a single day. Security here was much stricter than in Zhongzhi City.

It was likely because the King of Wei resided here.

Once inside, Chen Changsheng made his way toward Chuanfeng Alley.

Along the way, he passed by Brother Li's wine shop.

Chen Changsheng walked up, intending to buy some wine, but as he reached the door, he realized the person running it had changed.

It was a young man.

After asking, he learned the man was Brother Li's son.

Brother Li had passed away the year before last.

An illness had taken him.

Human life was inherently fragile in this era. Even a minor illness could claim a person, and living past fifty was already considered a long life, let alone now during a time of chaos.

Chen Changsheng did not grieve. He simply bought a wine pot and filled it with wine.

"What is your name?" Chen Changsheng asked.

Brother Li's son smiled. "Li Jiujia."

It was likely chosen because the family ran a wine shop. Brother Li had not been an educated man, but he had picked a pleasant-sounding name.

Chen Changsheng nodded and took his leave.

Li Jiujia watched the gentleman walk away, figuring he must have known his father. However, he couldn't recall his father ever mentioning such a person while he was alive.

Seeing no one coming to buy wine, he paid it no more mind and began waving a fan to cool himself off.

It had been a long time since he last returned.

Boat Wind Alley still looked clean.

Hardly any moss could be seen on the cobblestone path, so someone must have been cleaning it regularly.

Just as he thought this, he heard the sound of sweeping.

Chen Changsheng walked into the alley and looked over, seeing a white-haired old man sweeping the cobblestones with a bamboo broom.

Sensing his gaze, the old man looked up and suddenly froze.

Chen Changsheng was invited inside the old man's home.

Once they were seated, the old man warmed a pot of tea to host him.

Ouyang Feng looked at Chen Changsheng and asked, "You really do live a carefree life."

"It would be nice if I were truly carefree," Chen Changsheng replied.

Ouyang Feng pushed the tea forward and said, "I'm certainly not as carefree as you, anyway."

Chen Changsheng looked at him and said, "You've stayed in Qingshan City for so many years. Are you telling me you still aren't used to it?"

Ouyang Feng let out a breath and said, "Of course I'm used to it. Strange how that works, isn't it? When I first got here, I felt like nothing was good about this place. But after half a year or so, I felt it was pretty good."

He chuckled and said, "If it weren't good, I wouldn't have stayed this long."

Chen Changsheng smiled, nodded, and asked, "Has anything happened in the alley?"

Ouyang Feng said, "There was an incident the year before last. A strategist working under the King of Wei came looking for Miss Yun to discuss trade routes. The talks fell through, and they nearly came to blows, but I stopped them. I ended up killing quite a few people, and no one has come back since."

He looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "You're truly impressive. It wasn't until then that I found out Miss Yun was actually the young miss of the Tang Manor. That's the Tang Family Trading Firm."

Chen Changsheng said, "I've known her since a very long time ago."

Ouyang Feng nodded and said, "There is one other thing. It happened recently."

"Go on."

"Miss Yun's maidservant—her name was Zhishu, I think?"

Chen Changsheng paused and looked up. "What happened to her?"

Ouyang Feng said, "She fell severely ill and didn't pull through."

Chen Changsheng trembled slightly and fell silent.

Zhishu had followed Yunxiang since childhood. After all these years, she was getting on in age; falling gravely ill and passing away made sense.

But Chen Changsheng remembered that Yu Hongjin had always been there, so this matter didn't quite make sense.

"What about Yu Hongjin?" Chen Changsheng asked.

Ouyang Feng looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "She couldn't save the maidservant, either."

His gaze was somewhat strange, as if he were asking something.

Evidently, he had figured something out.

Yu Hongjin never grew older, and Ouyang Feng had accidentally seen her casting a spell once before.

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng gave a slight nod, beginning to understand.

Perhaps it had not just been a severe illness.

"There's more."

Ouyang Feng's gaze grew a bit peculiar as he said, "A few days after the maidservant died, things in that courtyard became somewhat strange. There are frequent, chilling drafts, and I occasionally even hear someone talking. The voice and tone are identical to the dead Zhishu's. I've gone to look, yet I've never seen anyone."

Chen Changsheng stood up before finishing his tea and said, "I'll come back to drink later."

Ouyang Feng nodded and didn't say anything more.

After going out the door, Chen Changsheng headed for the neighboring courtyard.

He paused for a moment, then knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

Yu Hongjin's voice came from inside.

Immediately after, the sound of the door opening could be heard.

When Yu Hongjin saw the person before her clearly, she suddenly froze.

"Bang!"

She abruptly slammed the door shut.

Yu Hongjin hurriedly ran into the courtyard, saying, "Sister Zhishu, hurry and hide! Hide!"

Zhishu froze for a moment, somewhat confused.

Yu Hongjin said, "Hurry, hurry!!"

Zhishu nodded and, following Yu Hongjin's instructions, hid in the small room at the back.

However, Chen Changsheng heard these words clearly from outside.

He could not help but sigh softly and shake his head.

A moment later, Yu Hongjin came to open the door again.

She looked at Chen Changsheng and asked, "When did you get back?"

Chen Changsheng remained silent, simply looking at Yu Hongjin calmly.