Li’er’s parents were working in the fields.
Li’er seemed to like Cui Xun and Li Ying very much. He said he had never seen such beautiful people before, just like immortals.
Cui Xun asked: “Do you know what immortals look like?”
Li’er took a big bite of flatbread: “Yes, the Immortal Master has shown us.”
“Immortal Master?”
“He’s an immortal who came down to the mortal world specifically to guide ordinary people like us. He often tells us what the Celestial Palace looks like. He says there are endless flatbreads to eat, endless clothes to wear, and very large houses. No one there grows old or dies. Only those who have done many good deeds can go to the Celestial Palace after death.”
Cui Xun pondered for a moment, then asked: “Do you see this Immortal Master often?”
Li’er nodded: “Yes, he comes to our village frequently.”
Cui Xun slightly furrowed his brows. Li Ying also detected something from Li’er’s words. She glanced secretly at Cui Xun, whose expression remained unchanged as he followed Li’er to find his parents. Along the way, they saw many women carrying children. Li’er greeted each of them, and the women asked: “Li’er, who are they?”
“They’re a brother and sister who came to my home to borrow water.”
As Li’er stopped to talk with these women, Li Ying also paused. She looked at the women, who had not the slightest trace of living energy about them. The infants they carried neither cried nor made a fuss, but stared fixedly at Li Ying. Li Ying forcibly suppressed her fear and smiled at one of the women: “What a good child. May I hold him?”
The woman cheerfully handed the child to Li Ying. Taking the infant, Li Ying used the opportunity to touch its hand, which was indeed as cold as ice—a ghost infant.
As the woman went to chat with Li’er, Li Ying carefully examined the infant in her arms. Suddenly, the infant grinned and gave Li Ying a sinister smile. Li Ying was so frightened she almost threw the baby away, but Cui Xun quickly took it from her. He held the ghost infant, who then smiled eerily at Cui Xun, attempting to scare him. Cui Xun merely gave a cold laugh, then his fingers stroked the ghost infant’s neck and slowly tightened. Fear finally appeared in the ghost infant’s eyes as it waved its arms pleadingly. Seemingly realizing that pleading with Cui Xun was useless, it turned to Li Ying with a beseeching expression. As soon as it showed this pleading look, Cui Xun released his grip on its neck and handed it back to the woman.
Li Ying thought: …No wonder they say ghosts fear the wicked.
The ghost infant no longer dared to cause mischief and didn’t even dare to look at Cui Xun. Li’er obediently said to the woman: “Auntie, I’ll take the brother and sister and go now.”
He then waved to Cui Xun and Li Ying, indicating they should follow him, as he happily led the way. Li Ying whispered to Cui Xun: “That infant just now must be a ghost fetus.”
A ghost fetus refers to a child who died with its mother before birth. Ghost fetuses carry heavy yin energy and are extremely vicious. Cui Xun nodded and said, “Li’er’s aunt must have died while pregnant, which is why her child was born a ghost.”
“Were they killed by someone?”
Otherwise, it was hard to imagine under what circumstances a pregnant woman would willingly give up her unborn child and die.
Cui Xun didn’t answer but said, “Let’s go meet Li’er’s parents. Perhaps we can get some answers.”
Cui Xun lit a flint and followed the skipping Li’er to find his parents. Along the way, Cui Xun tried to ask Li’er what happened on the day he died, but Li’er was too young to remember what happened. Moreover, he didn’t even realize he was dead.
So Cui Xun could only turn his attention to Li’er’s parents working in the fields.
Niujia Village was now wasteland, and even the soil emitted a putrid smell. The fields were overgrown with weeds, and withered branches and leaves lay everywhere. Yet Li’er’s parents continued to till the soil with their hoes, sweating profusely. Strangely, their hoes never actually penetrated the soil but merely struck it soundlessly. However, they appeared utterly serious, clearly believing in their minds that they were plowing the fields.
Just as in Li’er’s eyes, the pile of grass in the stove was burning.
Li’er’s parents wiped away their sweat and left the field to rest. When they saw Cui Xun and Li Ying, they were initially startled. After Li’er’s straightforward introduction, the couple smiled simply: “So you’re travelers asking for water.”
Cui Xun said, “Li’er just gave us some water to drink, so we wanted to come thank you both for raising such a sensible child.”
Li’er’s father scratched his head: “It’s just a mouthful of water, no need to be so polite.”
“It’s only right,” Li Ying quickly added.
Cui Xun glanced at the barren field: “This wheat is growing well.”
“Wheat?” Li’er’s father laughed: “This is rice.”
Cui Xun nodded in understanding: “Ah, so it’s rice.”
“Sir must come from a wealthy family to not distinguish between rice and wheat.”
Cui Xun smiled: “I thought it was March, so I assumed it was rice.”
“March?” Li’er’s mother also looked puzzled: “It’s August.”
Cui Xun feigned confusion: “August? Isn’t today the second day of the third month in the twentieth year of Taichang?”
Li’er’s mother corrected him: “Today is the sixth day of the eighth month in the twenty-first year of Taichang.”
Li Ying quickly smoothed things over: “I’m sorry, my husband drank a bit last night and is still hungover, which is why he’s confused about the date.”
Hearing this, Li’er’s parents no longer questioned it and cheerfully said to Li Ying: “Later, we’ll have Li’er make some bean sprouts for your husband. That will help with the hangover.”
This couple, with barely anything to their name, could still be so warm and hospitable to strangers. Li Ying thought about how such good people had mysteriously died thirty years ago and felt quite unsettled. She continued: “By the way, Li’er mentioned that an Immortal Master often visits your village. My husband and I would like to meet him. Has he visited recently?”
“Not for a long time.”
Li Ying pretended to be disappointed and asked: “When was the last time he came?”
“March 14th of last year.”
Li Ying and Cui Xun exchanged a glance. March 14th? March 15th was when the people of Niujia Village collectively died suddenly. The Immortal Master’s visit on March 14th was too coincidental.
Cui Xun then asked: “Oh~ Did the Immortal Master leave any teachings when he came?”
“Indeed, he did.”
Li’er’s parents then elaborated at length about the immortal’s teachings. As Cui Xun and Li Ying listened, it was essentially about doing good deeds, accumulating karma, and how after death, one could be reborn into a wealthy family. Those who had done many good deeds could even have their souls go to the Celestial Palace for blessings. The messages seemed to be encouraging people to do good, with nothing inappropriate.
Li’er’s father smiled: “The Immortal Master said that if we do many good deeds, our Li’er could even become an official in his next life.”
Li Ying couldn’t help asking: “An official?”
Li’er was about the same age as Madam Yan’s grandson Hu Nu, and both had similar chubby tiger-like faces. Hu Nu had been sent to study with Cui Songqing through Cui Xun’s recommendation letter. Hu Nu was reportedly very intelligent, and Cui Songqing was quite fond of him. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Hu Nu should be able to pass the imperial examinations at a young age and enter government service. Li Ying unconsciously connected Hu Nu with Li’er, so she reflexively asked: “Isn’t Li’er only six years old? Can’t he become an official in this life? Why wait until the next life?”
Li’er’s father laughed: “We are farmers. He will also be a farmer all his life. How could he possibly become an official?”